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Trump vs. Biden: A Comparison of China Policies
Both Trump and Biden have maintained a tough stance on China, but their strategies and approaches have differed significantly. This article compares their policies in key areas such as trade, diplomacy, technology, and climate.
📌 1. Trade Policy
Trump
- Advocated for "America First" and imposed high tariffs on Chinese imports
- Applied a 25% tariff on Chinese goods starting in 2018
- Proposed an additional 10% tariff (up to 60%) on Chinese goods in his 2025 term
- Expanded tariffs to Mexico and Canada to restructure global supply chains
Biden
- Maintained most of Trump's tariff policies but emphasized alliance-based approaches
- Launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to strengthen economic ties with Asian countries
- Imposed stricter semiconductor export controls to curb China’s technological rise
- Preferred a rule-based approach over large-scale tariff wars
🔹 2. Diplomacy & Alliances
Trump
- Focused on bilateral negotiations rather than multilateral cooperation
- Pursued direct negotiations with China (e.g., 2020 Phase One Trade Agreement) for short-term gains
- Expanded tariffs on allies after 2025, prioritizing U.S. economic interests over alliances
Biden
- Prioritized restoring alliances and reinforcing multilateral cooperation
- Strengthened initiatives like Quad (U.S., Japan, Australia, India) and AUKUS (U.S., U.K., Australia) to counter China
- Used democracy and human rights values as tools to pressure China
💡 3. Technology & Security
Trump
- Imposed sanctions on Chinese tech companies like Huawei
- Focused on targeting individual companies with immediate restrictions
- Introduced Bitcoin reserves (March 6, 2025, executive order) as part of economic competition with China
Biden
- Continued and expanded Trump’s tech sanctions with a structured, long-term approach
- Promoted "friendshoring" by encouraging tech supply chains to remain within allied nations
- Passed the CHIPS and Science Act to boost domestic semiconductor production
🌿 4. Climate & Environment
Trump
- Withdrew from the Paris Agreement (2017) and promoted fossil fuel industries
- Reaffirmed plans to exit climate pacts and expand oil and gas drilling in 2025
- Prioritized economic benefits over climate policies
Biden
- Rejoined the Paris Agreement on his first day in office and strengthened climate initiatives
- Used China’s carbon emissions as a point of diplomatic pressure
- Proposed a carbon adjustment tax on imports from countries with weak environmental standards
📊 5. Key Similarities & Differences
✅ Similarities
- Both recognized China as the U.S.’s primary competitor and maintained a tough stance
- Sustained strong policies in trade, technology, and national security
- Biden largely upheld Trump’s tariffs and technology restrictions
✅ Differences
- Strategy:
- Trump: Short-term, unilateral confrontations
- Biden: Long-term, alliance-driven containment
- Style:
- Trump: Impulsive and aggressive
- Biden: Rules-based and cooperative
- Scope:
- Trump: Expanded economic pressure globally, including on allies
- Biden: Focused on isolating China through alliances
🔎 Conclusion
Trump focused on unilateral economic pressure and immediate actions, while Biden pursued a more strategic and alliance-driven containment policy against China. Trump’s 2025 agenda includes broader trade wars, whereas Biden remains committed to long-term economic and diplomatic restrictions against China.
👉 Have any questions? Leave a comment below! 🚀
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